Experts discuss how media can promote empathy at Beijing event

Over 150 experts, leaders and scholars joined an event at Tsinghua University on Saturday to discuss how the media can promote empathy and equality across the world.

Though technology is reshaping our lives at an unprecedented speed, it has also exacerbated the inequality across the world, said Yang Bin, deputy dean of the university, when addressing the 3rd Global Development and Health Communication Forum. He added that the media plays an important role in changing the situation.

Empathy is the key for humans' survival as a social species, which is also needed for us now to shape a healthy and equal world in face of the challenges that we have never seen before, said Zheng Zhijie, chief representative to China at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Empathy is premised on knowledge, and knowledge is disseminated through communication, said Cui Shixin, deputy chief editor of People's Daily. He told the event that the media is a great tool to foster a shared understanding.

In recent years, health communication has relied heavily on digital technology, said Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China. He said failing to spread accurate and scientific information may lead to more deaths as people may not recognize imminent threats.

Zhou Qing'an, head of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, listed three factors that have led to risks and problems in the global development and health agenda: the lack of a shared vision, the knowledge gap and the scarcity of communication resources.

Unlike the previous two forums, this year's event featured a virtual reality experience zone where visitors can immerse themselves in Zambia, Africa, to observe the interactions between frontline health workers and residents, learning how their work is helping the world eradicate polio.